This is the 3rd in a series of aircraft designed, built and flown by more than 25 aircraft companies that called Wichita “home” during the years 1919 to 1934. Some of the aircraft in this series, takes us up to 1946. Some of early companies are world famous today, while many are nearly all but forgotten. However their history should be recorded and aviation aficionados will find great pleasure in seeing these aircraft. Thanks to the photographic artistry of pioneer aviation photographer, Edgar B. Smith (1896-1966), excellent photographs exist today of most of these early day aircraft. The photos were printed from Edgar B. Smith’s original 8X10 inch negatives of the Robert J. Pickett Collection. Courtesy of the Kansas Aviation Museum.
TRAVEL AIR 2000 (1929)
Travel Air Manufacturing Company, East Central, Wichita, Kansas
MODEL 4D “JUNIOR SPEEDMAIL” (1930)
Stearman Aircraft Company, 3601 S. Oliver, Wichita, Kansas
C-106A “LOADMASTER” (1944)
Cessna Aircraft Company, 5800 E. Franklin Road, Wichita, Kansas
SWALLOW T-29 (1928)
Swallow Airplane Manufacturing Company, 2901 N. Hillside, Wichita, Kansas